Gulliver student takes steps to support life-changing cancer care

Dorothy Spector, a junior at Gulliver Preparatory, is working to raise awareness and funds for life-changing cancer care. The non-profit organization she founded, Rockin’ for the Cure, is hosting Walkin’ for the Cure on Sunday, April 6, 1-3 p.m., at Tropical Park. Proceeds from the walk-a-thon will benefit the Children’s Cancer Caring Center at Baptist Children’s Hospital, which provides care to pediatric cancer patients who do not have the means to cover the cost of their treatments.

Spector founded Rockin’ for the Cure in 2011 after the grandmother she was named for lost her battle with pancreatic cancer. “Since then, my community service efforts have been focused on raising money to help find a cure for cancer,” she said.

Spector also initiated a Rockin’ for the Cure club at Gulliver to raise student awareness and involvement. She is a student in the school’s IB program. She serves as a volunteer tutor for underprivileged children and as an ambassador of the Health Information Project (HIP) – a program that strives to educate teenagers about health issues and assist them in accessing community health resources.

“Although I haven’t decided which college I’d like to attend, my plan is to study business law,” Spector added.

Fellow students can join Spector at Walkin’ for the Cure and help “lighten the workload.” Student volunteers who assist at the event will receive community service hours as well as a special certificate documenting their service and commitment.

Spector’s dynamic non-profit (501c3) welcomes corporate sponsors and employee matching programs. She encourages individuals, families and teams to register for Walkin’ for the Cure by visiting her Rockin’ for the Cure website. Team member registration is $20, individual registration is $25 and a family registration is $100.

“When participants register for the walk, they can generate a personal donation page that can be sent to friends and family to raise additional funds,” Spector said.

The young philanthropist hopes her event will help Baptist Children’s Hospital give hope and restore health to children coping with cancer. Although remarkable strides have been made in curing childhood cancers, every year approximately 6,500 new cases are diagnosed. The Children’s Cancer Caring Center at Baptist Children’s Hospital provides a source of financial, emotional and spiritual aid to children with cancer and their families.

DOROTHY,IT IS AMAZING WHAT YOU ARE DOING. I SUGGEST THAT YOU CONTACT MY SON, WILLY"POOCH" SANCHEZ FROM BELEN JESUIT. POOCH IS PRESENTLY A JUNIOR AT BELEN AND HE IS THE PRESIDENT OF "BELEN GUARDIANS". HIS CLUB WORKS WITH DOWN SYNDROME KIDS,FOSTER KIDS AND ELDERLY PEOPLE. ALSO, HIS SISITER, ASHLEY ANCHEZ, GRADUATED FROM GULLIVER LAST YEAR. SHE WAS THE TEAM CAPTAIN FOR THE DANCE TEAM AND WORKS WITH "BEST BUDDIES". YOU CAN REACH POOCH AT: WSANCHEZ15@BELENWOLVERINES.ORG.